Sizing momentum maintained

A Sizing Network continued the excellent run of owners Ann and Alan Potts, trainer Henry de Bromhead and rider Jonathan Burke when landing the Book Online At fairyhouse.ie Maiden Hurdle. Crown Of Gold (7/2 into 9/4) was pressing the pace-setter strongly before the last but a better leap at that hurdle from A Sizing Network gave the eventual half length victor a decisive advantage.

Try as Davy Russell might aboard Crown Of Gold, he couldn't quite reel in A Sizing Network close home, as they left Marys Choice four lengths back in third.

Burke said: "For a four-year-old he's quite big and long. There isn't much of him strength-wise so he's going to take plenty of time.

"He won his point-to-point – he was lucky to win it – and he just wasn't the type for a bumper. He jumps real well but he wasn't great over the hurdles, in front on his own. He'll be better over a fence."

Meanwhile de Bromhead remarked: "He was a bit keen, and taken on in front, so ended up going a shade faster than ideal the whole way. His jumping was okay but he was deliberate at a couple of them.

"He's an out and out chaser and won't be too busy this season. We'll get him to fences next May."

K.C. Sexton, rider of Billbushay trained by Sean Byrne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake at the last hurdle and lost his action.

(AM & EM)